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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-28-2002 08:15 AM

Don Foley

Buying a 1st boat

I personally like the Galley being at the foot of the companionway. If I''m cooking I can just pass the food up to the helm. If I''m single-handed, or my crew (family) is asleep, I can hop down and grab something from the fridge or pour some coffee without being far from the helm. Also, the heat and moisture from the stove vents right on out of the boat. I wouldn''t have it any other way.

Now, I did have a Rhodes once, where the companionway was RIGHT in the middle of the galley (icebox and sink on the left, companionway in the center and prep surface and stove on the right, looking aft). That was a pain.

Off to the boat for a week''s cruise to St.Augustine...

don

03-27-2002 11:31 PM

halyardz

Buying a 1st boat

I first started with lessons, then bought a small Beneteau...after two seasons I realized it was too small. Then a divorce which "liquidated" the boat. As retirement approached (then 5 years, now 3 out) I said I''m only here (on earth) once that I know of so I bought a classic Tartan for cruising. It was the best decision of my life. Like those above said, don''t wait too long.

Just as you learn a little, you learn there is a lot more to learn about boats and the sea. Once you commit to the lifestyle you become very hungry to learn.

LDCarpet...most galleys are near the companionway. Figure out just where you want to cruise and look at some classic plastic with relatively simple systems and a hull/rig design that meets those needs. Be patient and you''ll find a boat that''s right.

03-27-2002 04:55 PM

ldcarpet

Buying a 1st boat

My husband and I are starting the process of selecting a crusing boat. We have been looking at a Catalina 36. It has a great layout, except the placement of the galley at the foot of the companionway is a bit scary. Does anyone have any experience or advice on this subject.

03-27-2002 03:12 PM

mpin422

Buying a 1st boat

Valdare,

Your responce is exactly how I feel. I took my basic keel course passed with flying colors but only sailed about 2 times I tried to crew for races , but all you get good at is cranking a winch, and I would like to leisure cruise at the moment... but because I did not have boat or knew someone who did my sailing was non existent. . I''m how ever giving up my other pride and joy ( a 98'' Harley Davidson) and will take the plunge. After carefull reasearch I have come to the conclusion that a used boat, for the first boat is the best way to start. With any luck the Pearson 31 I''m looking at will mine to get experiance on.

I''m hoping to do just as you did , learn by doing ,and in a few years I will buy that 46 footerof my dreams and cruise the coastline and islands.

03-26-2002 08:50 PM

bnoble

Buying a 1st boat

Thank you all for your help. As far as what I plan to spend to make my dream come true, I don’t feel 60K would be out of line for a home with a keel. Now that I have some advice on schools, I may change my vacation plans.
Thanks again

03-25-2002 01:15 PM

Pangaea

Buying a 1st boat

bnoble,
How much you looking to spend?

Dennis L.

03-25-2002 09:32 AM

Don Foley

Buying a 1st boat

While it''s a very open ended question, I still like the original intent. Sure, he''s going to need some solid education and all that, but let''s look at the BOAT.

Think about it, you''re 4 years off from retiring and you''ve been dreaming of going off into the sunset. Let''s honor the dream for a moment and give him some boats that he can search for in the back of Cruising World and on Traderonline without getting too bound with details.

Singlehanding around the world. While I won''t ever do it...what boat would I want if I were to make the jump?

Not too big, 30-35 feet maybe. Full keel. Used, as I''m would be retiring. Double ender perhaps? Cutter rig? I''m thinking a Leigh 30 would fit the bill. How about a Southern Cross 28? Or an Island Packet 29 (not a double-ender, but a nice boat).

I know... a Hans Christian 33, now there''s a heavy displacement, double-ending cutter that one could take out to the deep blue.

Other suggestions? Jeff?

03-25-2002 07:46 AM

Valdare

Buying a 1st boat

The only way you will learn to sail is to do it. The only way you will do it is if you have some experience.

Take an ASA or US Sail keel boat sailing class. Learn the basics.

Buy yourself a boat you will be comfortable with, and sail it. While you''re sailing it read everything you can get your hands on. It will make more sense if you can read and experience it at the same time. My first boat was a 28 footer, my wife wanted something she felt secure in and was self righting. We did not know a thing about sailing except we had chartered with a couple for a week in Lake Erie and loved it. We learned as we sailed. My second boat was a 25"11 foot racing boat. My present boat is the boat of our dreams a Morgan 384. In the middle we took sailing classes in flying Scots, and ASA classes in 40 footers. We took navigation classes, bisic coastal cruising classes. We learned in all of them. These classes are arranged to take you in steps as your experence grows.
But you need the experence. One of the most
frustrating things I experienced in one of my advanced classes was with a gentlemen who read extensively about sailing but had never experienced it. He had never been in charge of any size boat himself. Everything he did he related to "well the book says..." or "is this what the book ment by..." Very unnerving for a few on board offshore some 100 miles.
If your going to retire in four years I would assume your not 30 something so racing is not probably something you will be into, there for it will be much harder to catch many rides with day sailors or cruisers. You need to get as much time onboard as possible. That means buy a boat regardless of what it is. Some clubs will have smaller boats you can use to learn basics but they won''t get you cruising on weekends to learn. It is easier to invite experienced sailors to sail with you than to catch a ride with no experience.

My 2 Cents..
John_/)_/)_/)

03-25-2002 05:50 AM

DuaneIsing

Buying a 1st boat

Some people may think that VIEXILE''s advice in this case is too flip, but I give him credit for pointing out that in the extreme, too much planning is to never do anything, which is often worse.

So, my modified advice:

1. DON''T rush so fast that you doom yourself to failure, poverty, and misery.

2. DON''T drag everything out so that all you do is talk, then die without experiencing your dream.

3. DO find that balance somewhere between those extremes that suits you.

03-25-2002 04:01 AM

KPBaker

Buying a 1st boat

BNoble,

I agree with the previous comments pertaining to attending some schools and gaining time on the water.When I first started sailing,I attended two excellent schools...the first was "The Offshore Sailing School" at Captiva,Fla.,and the second was "The Annapolis Sailing School" in Annapolis ,MD.If you are close to either of these schools I think it would be well worth your time to attend one, or both.Once you get some experience on the water, and some schooling under your belt, you might want to look at charterng a boat or two. It will help you get the feel for how different boats handle which will be beneficial when you start the selection process for a boat.I''m planning on moving up to a larger boat in a few years, so I''m also trying to determine what is the perfect boat for me. I''ve been researching boats for about a year now.This site has a wealth of infomation (Jeff''s comments) and the boatcheck pages.As others have pointed out, what your plans are now may be totally different in 4 years.If you are going to be circumnavigating, your choice for boat will have a different set of criteria than if you plan on being a coastal cruiser.In the mean time,plan,research,save$$,and dream.Good luck!

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